Acupuncture for Anxiety/Depression in Patients With Breast Cancer

The needles will be inserted to 15-40mm in acupoints through adhesive pads. Needles will be lifted, thrusted and twirled gently for 3 times to achieve deqi sensation and manipulated every ten minutes during 30-minute maintenance. The electronic acupuncture apparatus will be connected to the bileteral Taiyang, Anmian and Baihui, with a continuous wave of 2 Hertz (Hz) and an electric current of 1-3 milliampere (mA). Participants receive acupuncture treatment three times a week in the first two weeks and twice a week in the last six weeks.

The needle will be inserted to 2-3mm in Bai Hui acupoint. For the remaining acupoints, needles will be inserted into the pad till reaching but without penetrating the skin. Needles will be lifted, thrusted and twirled gently for 3 times to simulate the effects of the needle tip penetrating the skin. The electronic acupuncture apparatus will be connected to the Baihui acupoint, Shang Yin Tang acupoint, and bilateral An Mian acupoints, with a continuous wave of 2 Hertz (Hz) and an electric current of 0.1-0.3 mA. In about 3-5 seconds, the electric current will be turned down. Participants receive acupuncture treatment three times a week in the first two weeks and twice a week in the last six weeks.